Part 12

Taehyung POVI glance at the ticking clock on the wall.08:17 PM. Almost time to close the shop. I huff & continue cleaning my tools.It's been two days since Y/n came to the tattoo shop looking for me. Two days since her pained expression was imprinted in my brain.Hana & I have talked about plans to lure Y/n back, but none is feasible since that Jimin guy is always following her around now according to Hana.I miss her.The absurd thought pops up in my head & I quickly chase it away."Huh.. Should I really just give up?" I mutter dejectedly to myself.No, you can't. Remember why you started this in the first place. Remember the agony, the deep sense of loss. And you still need to find her. Dead or alive."Taehyung ah, someone's looking for you." My partner suddenly calls me."A guest? Just tell her to come in." I disinterestedly reply."It's not a girl this time. And it doesn't look like he's coming here to get a tattoo. You should go outside & meet him." "Oh ok." I throw the cleaning towel onto my working bench & walk out, curiosity rising in my head.A guy wearing a black suit is standing near the entrance with his back facing me."How may I help you?" I ask.He turns around & I immediately recognize him."Kim Taehyung ssi? Annyeong hashiminimka." He bows at me & smiles.What the fuck is he doing here?!"Do you want to get a tattoo?" I regain my composure & act stupid."No. I'm here because someone wants to meet you & asked me to fetch you to the meeting place.""Y/n?" Her name slips out of my mouth & it's already too late when I realize that I've exposed myself to him."You'll find out when we get there." He doesn't look the least bit surprise & smile at me again.I know that this might be a trap, but if it's truly Y/n, I want to see her.Maybe she told him about us & asked him to help her just like she did with Hana? That's possible, right?"Ok then. Yongsan ah, I'm going out now. Just close the shop when you're done." I yell to my partner at the back of the shop."Let's go." I wear my leather jacket & nod at Jimin."After you." He politely signals me to step out first.A black limousine is already waiting for us when we get to the main road.Unease begins to attack me as I step into the luxurious car & see the driver. He's the one who always drives Kang sajangnim around.This doesn't feel right. Has Y/n informed the driver about us too? I gulp nervously, my palms damp with sweat."Where are we going exactly?" I turn to Jimin & ask."Somewhere nearby. With the traffic now, we'll be there in less than 15 minutes." He checks his watch & answers."Is it Y/n who wants to see me?" "Be patient. You'll find out very soon." That annoying saccharine smile again.I'm so anxious that I feel like shaking the answer out of him, but I can't do that. So I just clasp my hands tightly together to ease the nerves."We're here." Jimin announces as the car comes to a halt at a quiet street."Here?" I scan the dark surroundings & ask.My pulse races as suspicion & ugly thoughts seep into my brain.Why is he taking me to such a deserted place? Is he going to harm me? "Please come out. The person is already waiting for you." Seeing my immobility, Jimin calls out."Alright." I clear my throat & step out, hiding my fear."Please follow me." He walks ahead of me deeper into the dark alley.Shit. If he does something to me, will I be able to escape? Hana said he has a black belt in karate.I hesitantly trail behind him while keeping track of our every step to figure out the fastest escape route in case something happen."We're here." He abruptly stops in front of a pair of heavy wooden door & pushes them open."Whose house is this?" I ask."It's not a house. It's an exclusive restaurant, reserved for important clients who value privacy. Don't worry. There are other guests inside." I step through the door & gasp inwardly as I see the beautiful traditional garden lying before me.Pine trees, which look hundreds of years old, are planted elegantly across the landscape. The garden lamps radiates soft aesthetic yellow hues that set the tone of the vast space.Multiple Hanoks, which most probably serve as private dining rooms, line the left & right side of the garden.Jimin guides me to one of the Hanok & knocks on the sliding door."We're here." He exclaims.A lady in Korean hanbok, who must be the waitress of the restaurant, slides the door open & let us in."Welcome Kim Taehyung ssi." My blood freezes in my vein as soon as I lay eyes on the person sitting at the table in front of me.Kang Jihwan. Y/n's father. The person who I loathe to my core."Are you that surprised to see me? Did you think that it was my daughter who wants to see you?" He sips the tea in his cup & smirks."I have nothing to say to you. I'm leaving." I abruptly turn around to leave but Jimin blocks my way."Please sit down. I'm sure you'll be interested in what I'm going to offer." Kang sajangnim calmly says."Listen to him. You have no other choice." Jimin whispers.I clench my jaws, turn back around, & heavily plop down on the seat across Kang sajangnim."What do you want from me?" I glare at him."Shouldn't I be the one who ask you that, Kim Taehyung? What do you want from me or my daughter? Why are you approaching her? Why did you break into my house?" His questions stun me, leaving me speechless."What? Do you think I don't know anything? Do you think I'm that clueless? You can fool my daughter but you can't fool me Taehyung ssi.""I have no idea what you're talking about." I avert my gaze so that he won't see the panic in my eyes."Oh really? Do you want me to show you my security camera footage to refresh your memory? Or should I just send it to the police station right now?" His bone-chilling tone scares me more than the threat."Fine. I did break into your house, but it was because your daughter wanted to see me." He stares at me for a long second before laughing out loud."Hahaha! Of course she did. You have her in the palm of your hand, don't you? But did she tell you to steal my watch too? Or did you take it because you need money?""I didn't steal that watch! It wasn't-""Name your price." He cuts off my sentence."What?""You obviously approached my daughter for money, so name your price. How much do I have to pay you so that you'll stay away from my daughter forever?"My blood boils hearing his condescending remark.He doesn't know who I am & why I'm coming after him & Y/n."How much are you willing to pay me? Ten million won? Fifty million won? No Sajangnim, that's not anywhere near enough. I want more. I want you to suffer & feel the pain of losing someone dear to you. And no amount of money would ever be able to compensate for that satisfaction. Now please excuse me." I stand up & spit the words out with so much hatred."This is my last offer. One hundred million won. Leave my daughter alone & I'll give you the cheque right now." He says to my back."I will never do that even if you give me your whole fortune. Don't worry. I'll return her to you once I'm done with her." I turn to face him & snicker."Kim Taehyung ssi, you-" Jimin tries to stop me, but I grab his arm & push him aside."Let him go, Jimin ah. He will learn his lesson soon." Kang sajangnim orders.I ball up my fists. The urge to punch his smug face is so strong that I have to physically hold my own hand to stop myself.It's you who will learn that what goes around comes around. Watch me Kang Jihwan. You'll be the one who cries in the end.

Jimin POVAfter listening to the conversation between Taehyung & Kang sajangnim earlier, I realize that Hana might have lied to me. There's more to Taehyung's motive than just monetary issue.The intense hatred in his eyes indicates that things are not that simple.That being said, I don't care if Taehyung hurts Kang sajangnim. However, I can't let him hurt Y/n. She's innocent. In a way, she's also a victim in this whole ordeal. It's not her fault that her father is such a cruel heartless man. Harming her to take revenge on her father's sin is a horrible move."Kang sajangnim, I don't think he will give up. We should report him to the police with the CCTV footages we have." I cautiously urge him."No. What if my daughter comes to his defense & says that she was the one who invited her? Which she did actually. The only evidence which could prove him guilty is the footage from my office, but the camera in that room somehow didn't record anything that night. I can't risk Y/n picking his side & blaming me for slandering him without proof." He sternly refuses.Shit. Why didn't I think about that? I shouldn't have deleted the whole footage. "Besides, I believe Y/n has given up on him. Didn't you say that she hasn't attempted to see him again? So I think we should just wait & see. If this ends here then there's no need to expose my own daughter's misdeed to the world. Don't say anything to her. I don't want her to attempt running away like- Anw, just make sure you protect her & don't ever let that guy get anywhere near her again." Kang sajangnim hastily adds."Yes, Sajangnim." I obediently nod at him.I was right. He is afraid of repeating history. But this guy.. Kim Taehyung. What's his reason of doing all this? I should do deeper background check on you.

Y/n POVSunday comes again.I drag my heavy limbs out of bed & get ready for church.Will Tae be there? I can't help but think.It's been three days since I last saw him at the tattoo shop. His cold words still hurt me every time I replay the moment in my head.Give up. He doesn't want you anymore.I take a deep breath & exhale it loudly to get rid of the uncomfortable stir in the middle of my chest.A knock on the door makes me abruptly turn my head around."Yes?" "Miss Y/n? It's me. Jimin. Are you ready to go?" His muffled voice reverberate through the closed door."Give me a minute." I reply."Alright. I'll wait for you out here." Jimin has been staying in the room next door since three nights ago. Abeonim said that he asked Jimin to do that to make me feel safe, but his presence actually suffocates me even more.I can't even go down to the kitchen to fetch some water without him rushing out of his room in panic.Now, I truly feel like a prisoner, being watched by a guard 24/7.Huh.. Until when do I have to live like this?I reluctantly open the door, wishing that I could skip church & sleep all day, & there he is. Prim & proper with his 90-degree bow once he sees me stepping out of the room."Good morning, Miss." He greets me with an annoying perfunctory smile."Morning." I answer flatly & walk ahead of him.He escorts me to the car where my father is already waiting & opens the door for me.To my surprise, he steps around the car & gets on the front passenger seat."What are you doing?" I ask, eyes widened."Jimin will be coming with us to church from now on." Abeonim says without lifting his gaze from his phone."Pardon? B-But we never have assistants following us at church before. You set the rule yourself." I protest."Well, I've changed the rule, so get used to it." He glances coldly at me & returns his gaze back to his phone.He's really making Jimin stick onto me like glue, isn't he?I catch a glimpse of Jimin watching me from the rearview mirror & quickly avert my gaze.Ugh.. I really can't stand him. I wish he would disappear.

We arrive at church in half an hour & the place is already packed.I walk beside Abeonim, while Jimin follows us from behind. As usual, people instantly flock to us like fruit flies to rotten bananas.It's just like any other Sunday, but one thing is different this time. Taehyung is not here.The mass is about to start & I've briefly scanned around the hall, but he's nowhere to be seen.What do you expect? He's no longer interested in you.Tears sting the back of my eyes & I hastily rub my nose to chase the sensation away."Let's go find our seats. Jimin ah, you can sit behind us." Abeonim instructs."Yes, Sajangnim." Jimin readily nods.Sadness builds inside me as I sit down at my usual seat. My eyes are fixated onto the altar, but my mind is travelling somewhere else.Memories from my first encounter with Taehyung at the church's restroom, the shock, the rapid heartbeat, the adrenaline rush, all came flushing back at me. It was the beginning of something so beautiful yet fleeting. Like a butterfly. When he left, he took all the beauty away with him leaving me more miserable than I had been before I met him.I miss him so bad. I miss his smoky minty scent, the crinkles at the corners of his eyes when he laughs, his large veiny hands, his soft lips, his deep voice, everything."Excuse me, Sajangnim. I need to step out for a minute." Jimin suddenly leans forward & whispers to Abeonim, snapping me back into reality."Next time just go. Don't ever disturb us during mass." Abeonim frowns disapprovingly."Yes, Sajangnim. My apologies." He nods & then excuses himself.Once he's gone, I can feel myself breathe a little bit easier.Pheww, at least I don't have him constantly watching my back for the next few minutes.

Taehyung POV"Shit. I'm late." I curse at myself as I hurriedly enter the church's parking lot.However, the same black limousine which carried me yesterday to meet Kang sajangnim stops right in front of the gate, blocking my way.What the fuck? Is the driver trying to not let me in?"Excuse me! Move the car away!" A surge of fury shoots up within me.I thought I would have to work harder to get in, but the car drives away immediately."Ugh, now I'm really late."I quickly park my bike & run towards the tall white building. But a shadow of someone standing a few meters from the church entrance stops me in my track."Park freaking Jimin." I click my tongue in irritation."You're not welcome here." He says, face devoid of any emotion."You don't have the right to say that. This is a public space. Even your beloved Sajangnim doesn't own this place." I glare at him."Huh.. I don't want to cause a scene. Just go home." He sighs."Nope. I'm going in. You can't stop me." I stubbornly continue walking towards the church building.I don't know what happen, but the next second I'm pinned to the ground with Jimin hovering on top of me."Look. I don't care about what beef you have with Sajangnim, but I can't let you hurt Y/n anymore. Can't you see that she's innocent? How different would you be with the person you hate the most if you insist on using Y/n to get to him?"His statement surprises me.Who is he? What does he know? What's his intention?I push him away & swiftly stand up."Who are you? What relationship do you have with Y/n?" I ask, curiosity & jealousy consuming me."I'm here to protect Y/n. So if you dare to hurt her again, I won't hesitate to do the same thing to you. Now go before I call the police & give them the footage of you breaking into Sajangnim's house." He threatens."Ugh, fine! But I won't give up. Just wait & see." Feeling cornered, I relent & turn around angrily."Kim Taehyung!" He calls out all of a sudden."What?" "Don't try to beat the devil & then become the devil himself. Whatever your reason is, it's not worth it."His advice makes my blood boil. Who is he to tell me what to do?"Park Jimin, you don't know me. You don't know what I'm going through. I'm sure you'll do the same thing as I do if you were in my position. Like I said last night, I won't stop until that bastard feels the same amount of pain & loss that he inflicted in me." "Can you tell me what's the reason of you doing this?" He asks."Won't it be too easy for you then? Figure it out yourself." I scoff & walk away.He's just another dog I need to plough through. Kang Jihwan, you can't stop me.

Y/n POVThree days have slowly gone by.I haven't heard anything from Taehyung, nor have I tried to reach out to him. The phone he gave me has been lying dead inside my bedside drawer since last week.There were times when I had the strong urge to turn it back on, rekindling the tiny flickering flame of what's left of our relationship. But I went against the impulse every single time.We were never meant to be together. Even when we did, we only brought more sufferings to ourselves & the people around us.I know I'm a coward. I should've persevered, should've fought for my love like Juliet. But I guess my father has shaped me too well, turning me into a person who accepts fate instead of someone who strives to change it. Today, at least I get to temporarily forget about my problems because it's time for me to volunteer at the hospital again.A genuine smile spreads across my lips as I see their big round eyes staring intently at me when I read them stories.Children. I wonder if I'll ever have one of my own."Nuna.." A tiny hand tugs at my sleeve at the end of my story."Yes? Oh Jeongwon ah. Do you have something to tell me?" I turn to the little boy. His creepy story from my last visit comes into mind."After telling you the story, I felt relieved. I believe it was only a dream like you said. Now I don't have nightmares anymore & can sleep very well. So thank you very much for listening to me Nuna." He leans closer & gives me a hug."You're very welcome Jeongwon ah. I'm glad I could help." I gently pat his back & smile.His story, though, lingers in my head until my volunteer time is over.Was it really a dream? Or did he see something that he shouldn't? Ah, come to think of it, that day I also saw Park lawyer going into the psychiatric ward. What was he doing there? Is he going to be there again today?Lost in my thoughts, I've walked to the opposite wing of the hospital without realizing. This side is much quieter than the other side where the main entrance is located."How did I get here? I should turn back around." Just as I turn on my heels, someone bump me from the side, making me stumble down onto the floor."Ow!" I exclaim in surprise.Once I've regained my senses, I lift my gaze & see the person who hits me. She is wearing a loose hospital gown, her messy hair covering half of her face, purplish marks circling both of her wrists. "Are you alright, Miss?" I ask, thinking that she must be a patient.Suddenly, she grabs my collar tightly with a strength that I didn't expect she had."Save me. Please. Get me out of here. Please. Save me!" She mutters, her bloodshot eyes only inches away from mine."M-Miss, please calm down. You are at the hospital. You are safe here." I stutter as fear creeps within me."I'm not safe here! They've killed my baby! And they've been holding me in here against my will! Please. Help me!" She becomes even more hysterical."L-Let me call a nurse. It seems like you need help." "Oh no. You are one of them. You are one of them!" She abruptly releases her grip & steps backward.Right then, a few nurses & doctors come running towards you & grab her. They pin her arms tightly behind her back as she continuously screams for help."I'm so sorry Miss. She's one of our patients in the psychiatric ward. I don't know how she got here. I'm so sorry if she's caused you any trouble." One of the doctors comes up to me & apologizes."That's alright." I smile awkwardly."Don't listen to them! They're lying!" The lady yanks her arms off their restrain & runs to me again.Now that I really see her, she looks awfully familiar. Like I've seen her somewhere before."Miss, you need to go back to your room." The nurses grabs her gown, but she keeps fighting against them. As a result, her thin gown is ripped diagonally across her chest.Then, something catches my eyes.

Wait.. That tattoo on her chest. It looks like-"Miss Y/n! What's going on?" Jimin calls out as he runs towards me."N-Nothing." I mindlessly answer, still taken aback by the sight of the tattoo on the woman's chest."I heard screaming. Who's that young woman? Is she a patient?" Jimin turns to the female patient who's being dragged away by the nurses & doctors."She is a patient from the psychiatric ward. She probably got lost & bumped into me by accident. Anw, where is Hana ssi?" I abruptly change the topic, although my brain is still thinking about that woman."Sajangnim granted her a paid leave to take care of her sick mother." "What?! Paid leave? How come he didn't tell me? For how long?" I instantly go into panic mode."He never said. Don't worry, Hana ssi has informed me about all your schedules, so you won't miss anything." But she's the only friend I have. Why did Abeonim tell her to take a break all of a sudden? Has he found out about my relationship with Taehyung? No, that's impossible. If he had, he would've killed both of us already."Miss, are you alright?" Noticing my troubled expression, Jimin searches my face."Let's just go home." I dejectedly say & walk towards the exit."Yes, Miss." Jimin nods & trails behind me.A heavy mass weighs on my heart as we get closer & closer to the mansion.No Taehyung. No Hana. No one is on my side now. I should be used to it by now, but why is this loneliness becoming so unbearable?A drop of tear rolls down my cheek & I quickly wipe it away.If I keep living like this, will I go crazy & turn out like that young woman in the psychiatric ward? She must have lost her child & couldn't bear the pain. The image of the butterfly tattoo on her chest flashes in my mind again.Her tattoo is exactly the same as Taehyung's. No. Hers is the other half that is missing from his half-butterfly tattoo. Is she her acquaintance? Family? But he told me that he is an orphan & he doesn't have any family left. Could it be that it's just a coincidence? But it's such a unique tattoo.. Or maybe not. Arghh, I don't know. Should I ask him? No, we're done. Even if she truly is his family member, it has nothing to do with me. He won't want me prying anw."Miss. Miss Y/n? We've arrived." Jimin's voice snaps me out of my thoughts."Oh. Yes. Ok." I hastily get out of the car."Y/n ah, you're home. Jang wonjangnim (hospital director) is here. Say your greetings first." Abeonim calls out to me as soon as I step into the living room."Annyeong hashimnikka Jang wonjangnim." I put both hands over my stomach & politely bow at him."I heard from your father that you often volunteer at our pediatrics ward. Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do that. The kids do need a lot of encouragement as they battle their sickness." Jang wonjang says to me."Not at all. She's just fulfilling her basic responsibility as a human being. As our beloved God teaches us, we need to always spread kindness wherever we go. Isn't that right Y/n ah?" Abeonim humbly responds for me."Yes, Abeonim." I fake a smile & answers."Ahh, no wonder you have such a kind-hearted daughter. An apple doesn't fall far from its tree. I wish everyone in this town had your compassion & generosity." Jang wonjang laughs at his own statement.His emphasis on the word 'generosity' didn't escape me."Speaking of generosity, I would like to talk to you about giving another donation to the hospital." Abeonim seems to get the hint as well."Aigoo, Kang sajangnim. You've donated enough. You are practically our biggest donator. That totally isn't my intention of coming today. I just feel like meeting you since we haven't seen each other in a while." Jang wonjang readily pretends to refuse."No no no. I insist. I feel like I haven't contributed enough. Y/n ah, we'll talk about some boring administration things that I'm sure you won't be interested in. So you may go up to your room first." Abeonim smiles tenderly at me. A smile he only shows when there are guests around."Yes, Abeonim. Please excuse me, Jang wonjangnim." I bow again at them & go up to my room.Money.. That's all everyone wants from us. Disgusting. I scoff."Pardon?" Jimin asks, making me realize that I unintentionally blurted the sentence out loud."Huh? Nothing. You may leave now." I quickly dismiss him."Yes, Miss. Have a good evening." He nods at me & turns around to leave.Huh.. I miss Hana eonni already.I take a long shower, letting the hot water flush away all the tiredness from my muscles, & go back downstairs for dinner.Abeonim is already waiting for me alone in the dining room. Jang wonjang has apparently left.I nod at him & quickly take my seat."Did you have a good time at the hospital?" Abeonim asks."Yes, Abeonim. Are you planning to make another donation to the hospital?" I try to make small talks."Jang Kijoon, that old sly bastard.. He's been giving me subtle hints that he wants another donation. Keep talking about how he needs more & better equipments for his patients, like I don't know that he actually spends half of the money on alcohol & women. If only I didn't need a favor from him.." He quietly mutters the last sentence.Favor?"What favor? Are you sick?" I look up from my plate & frown."Never mind. Just continue eating." He says without meeting my gaze.I observe him from across the table. He looks perfectly healthy.There's no way that he's sick. What favor then? What does Jang wonjang has on him that he's willing to donate so much money to the hospital?

I wake up tired with a piercing headache the next morning, because I couldn't sleep all night.Thoughts about Taehyung, Hana, that woman at the hospital, Abeonim, everything jumbled together making me unable to rest my mind.I haul my body out of bed & force myself to do my morning routine. However, I still don't feel any better after shower."Good morning Miss. You look.. tired. Are you alright?" Jimin asks as I walk out the door.I'm too exhausted to be polite so I ignore him & say nothing."Miss? If you are not feeling well, maybe you should-""Shut up, will you? Stop pretending that you care about me." I turn to him & snap.He looks surprised for a fraction of second, but then regains his composure in an instant."My apologies, Miss." He bows.Ugh, now I feel like a complete bitch. He's only doing his job."I'm sorry for snapping at you, Jimin ssi. I have a major headache, so I don't feel like talking at all. Please forgive me." I apologize."You don't need to apologize. I shouldn't have disturbed your peaceful morning with my incessant nagging. So, it was my fault." "No, it was my mistake. I was being rude. I should be the one who apologizes." "No, it wasn't your fault. It's mine." He insists."Stop. It was my fault, don't argue otherwise.""No, Miss. It was entirely my fault."We keep on arguing like that until we realize what we are doing & pause. Both of us erupts in laughter at the same time as the comicality of the situation dawns on us."Ok, let's stop arguing, otherwise I'll be late." I chuckle."Yes, we should. Buttt.. it was my fault." He grins, making me chuckle helplessly.I'm surprised that I'm still capable of laughing genuinely in my current dire situation. "Btw, Miss.." He suddenly adds."Yes?""I wasn't pretending to care about you.." He tilts his head & smiles as he says that, causing my heart to skip a beat."Uhm.. We should get going now. It's already 10 past 8." I swiftly turns away & continues walking to hide my reddening cheeks.God, stop being such a child Y/n! Why are you blushing?! But.. he's actually not that bad as a person. Maybe the only reason I dislike him so much is because he's my father's man. I should treat him more nicely from now on.